The primary objective of EIA in India is to assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, including its direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on the environment.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency responsible for conducting EIA studies in India.

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is the primary legal framework for EIA in India. It empowers the central government to notify certain categories of projects that require environmental clearance.

Projects that may have significant environmental impacts, projects that are located in sensitive areas, and projects that involve the use of hazardous substances all require environmental clearance in India.

The key steps involved in the EIA process in India include screening, scoping, impact assessment, public consultation, and environmental clearance.

The purpose of screening in the EIA process is to identify projects that require environmental clearance.

The purpose of scoping in the EIA process is to determine the level of environmental assessment required for a project.

The purpose of impact assessment in the EIA process is to identify potential environmental impacts of a project, evaluate their significance, and develop mitigation measures to address them.

The purpose of public consultation in the EIA process is to obtain public feedback on a project, address public concerns, and incorporate public suggestions into the project design.

The purpose of environmental clearance in the EIA process is to grant permission for a project to proceed, set conditions for the implementation of a project, and monitor the environmental performance of a project.

The key challenges in implementing EIA in India include lack of capacity and expertise, inadequate public participation, and political interference.

Some of the recent reforms in the EIA process in India include introduction of online submission of EIA applications, streamlining of the EIA process for certain projects, and establishment of a national EIA authority.

EIA plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development in India by helping to identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts of projects, promoting the use of cleaner technologies and processes, and ensuring that projects are designed and implemented in an environmentally sustainable manner.

EIA has made significant contributions to the prevention of environmental degradation, conservation of natural resources, and promotion of sustainable development in India.

Some of the challenges that still need to be addressed in the EIA process in India include improving the quality of EIA reports, ensuring effective public participation, and strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations.